CN108714081B

CN108714081B - Guardrail of medical inflatable mattress

Info

Publication number: CN108714081B
Application number: CN201810317895.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 江冠能; 梁修纶
Original assignee: PICARD HEALTHCARE Tech (DONGGUAN) CO Ltd
Current assignee: PICARD HEALTHCARE Tech (DONGGUAN) CO Ltd
Priority date: 2011-06-16
Filing date: 2012-06-18
Publication date: 2020-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-18
Also published as: ES2955084T3; RU2612920C2; CN103717190B; JP2014516737A; US9566202B2; RU2014101149A; EP3329892A1; EP3329892B1; CN108714081A; ES2992033T3; WO2012172421A1; EP2726047A1; CN103717190A; WO2012172421A8; US20140173825A1; CN107456339B; EP2726047A4; CN108309629A; EP2726047B1; CN107456339A

Abstract

The utility model provides a guardrail of medical air mattress, medical air mattress includes a mattress body (30), sets up last bedspread (50) and air pump subassembly (70) on mattress body (30). The mattress body (30) includes a plurality of body cells (31) forming a cell row. The air pump assembly (70) comprises a pump (71) and at least one line connecting the pump (71) and the body bladder (31). The guardrail comprises a guardrail unit (60) and a guardrail sleeve (52). The guardrail unit (60) comprises a guardrail airbag (61) positioned on the upper bed cover (50). The guardrail sleeve (52) is provided with a sleeve body (521), and the guardrail air bag (61) is installed in the sleeve body (521) of the guardrail sleeve (52). A guardrail line (77) is connected between the guardrail airbag (61) and the pump (71), the guardrail line (77) being configured such that air can be communicated between the pump (71) and the guardrail airbag (61).

Description

Guardrail of medical inflatable mattress

Technical Field

The invention relates to a medical inflatable mattress, in particular to a guardrail of the medical inflatable mattress.

Background

Most patients with body movement inconvenience or bedridden patients lie on the mattress for a long time and thus are prone to develop decubitus ulcers on various regions of the body due to continuous compression. To minimize or eliminate the formation of pressure sores, caregivers must turn the patient's body or move the patient to replace the area of the body that is under pressure. Conventional medical inflatable mattresses have been developed to assist in manually moving a patient and changing the compression zones on the patient to create waves for changing the contact area of the patient's body. The conventional medical air mattress has the following disadvantages.

In order to assist the patient to turn over, two inclined supply air bags are installed below the body air bag. When the patient needs to turn over, one of the tilt supply bladders is inflated to tilt the conventional airbed. This design provides only one tilt angle. Patients with different disabilities may require different tilt postures depending on the doctor's decision or depending on the patient's discomfort. If the patient requires a different incline, but a conventional airbed is not available, the caregiver must use non-recommended aids or the treatment cannot be performed. Either of these options risks injuring the patient.

Because a patient lying on a conventional airbed is not easily moved or bedridden, protective facilities around the conventional airbed are important to protect the patient from falling off the mattress. Hospital beds on which medical mattresses are used are equipped with guardrails which sometimes prevent medical staff from taking care of a patient lying on the bed so that the medical staff cannot always be in the best position for protecting the patient. Many patients need to receive subsequent treatment of the medical air mattress at their home. Medical inflatable mattresses also need to assist caregivers in moving patients with minimal physical effort. In many cases, the medical air mattress is not equipped with a guardrail at home. Conventional medical air mattresses may have inflatable barriers to protect the patient and to assist the caregiver, who can easily depress the inflatable barriers. If a patient accidentally squeezes either inflatable barrier, the inflatable barrier will be skewed outwardly and no longer protect the patient, resulting in the accident of the patient falling from the mattress. The inflatable barrier is free of any connection to the upper bed cover and is only connected to the lower bed cover to limit the ability of the two sides of the upper bed cover to draw each other in relation to each other.

Additional difficulties arise in handling conventional airbeds when a patient lying on the mattress requires the use of a bedpan. Conventional airbeds have several detachable air cells corresponding to the positions of the buttocks of the patient. A mattress according to the prior art is shown in fig. 11A, which is described in more detail later. When the detachable bladder is removed to form the recess, a bedpan can be placed into the recess for use. However, in order to prevent secondary infection and to be easily washed, the conventional airbed has an upper bedcover to cover the air cells. It is therefore necessary to remove the upper bed cover before the detachable air bag is removed. Removal of the upper bed cover still requires movement of the patient lying on the conventional airbed. The design of a removable air bag is inconvenient for the caregiver as the patient still needs to be away from the conventional airbed. Furthermore, two or more individuals are required to move the patient and remove the bed cover. This is an inefficient use of time and human resources, such that the detachable bladder does not function as expected from the original design.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical air mattress with improved handling, improved possibilities in assisting patient mobility and reducing or eliminating the aforementioned disadvantages.

This problem is solved by the disclosed medical air mattress. The lines connected to the pump and/or the balloon are thus adapted to selectively control the inflation and/or deflation of the balloon. In connection with this option, it is meant that a selected balloon or a selected group of balloons can be inflated and/or deflated independently without inflating and/or deflating the remaining balloons, i.e. without inflating and/or deflating one or more unselected balloons.

In order to produce a movement in the supporting surface of the medical air mattress and to tilt the surface of the mattress, it is proposed to provide the medical air mattress with odd body lines connecting the pump with air bags located at odd positions of the air bag rows and even body lines connecting the pump with air bags located at even positions of the air bag rows.

In order to improve the handling of the medical air mattress, it is proposed to deflate some or all components of the medical air mattress according to the invention in a rapid manner by means of a rapid deflation valve, for example in case of a medical emergency. The quick release valve may be connected to a line, preferably to an odd body line and an even body line.

In order to provide a plurality of tilt modes of the medical air mattress according to the present invention, additional tilt supply bladders are provided. The inclined supply air cells are mounted longitudinally on the lower bed cover, preferably such that the mattress body is mounted across the inclined supply air cells adjacent both longitudinal sides of the lower bed cover and substantially parallel to each other. Thus, in order to produce the effect of a patient turning posture, the inclination of the surface of the mattress may (additionally) be modified by independently inflating/deflating the inclination supply cells, i.e. without inflating and/or deflating the other cells of the mattress.

According to another aspect of the invention, each balloon tapers in diameter from a wide end to a narrow end. The balloon is disposed with the wide end adjacent the narrow end. This aspect improves the anti-decubitus properties of the medical air mattress so that the medical air mattress can be handled in a simpler manner. On the other hand, the surface of the mattress can be inclined by selectively inflating and/or deflating the gradually tapered body cells.

According to another aspect of the invention, a guardrail is provided having a guardrail airbag and a guardrail conduit. The guardrail pipeline is connected with the pump and the guardrail air bag. Fall injuries of patients can be avoided by providing the medical airbed with an inflatable/deflatable barrier assembly. Furthermore, since the barrier can be removed by independently deflating the barrier bladders, the handling of the barrier is simplified by the medical air mattress according to the invention. The guardrail can be in its protective state by inflating the guardrail airbag.

To further enhance handling of the medical air mattress, a mutual traction of the barrier cuffs is provided to prevent the cuffs from tilting when pressed. The medical air mattress may additionally have a barrier unit. An upper bed cover covering the mattress body has at least one guardrail cover secured to at least one side of the upper bed cover. The barrier unit may have a plurality of barrier bladders respectively installed in the barrier sheaths. The guardrail housing is formed on the upper bed cover, which will pull each other on both sides when pressed to ensure that the guardrail housing remains in place. Thus, the protective barrier cuff does not depress when stressed and continues to provide optimal protection for the patient as its intended purpose.

Further improvement of the anti-decubitus properties of the mattress is achieved by providing a massage unit, preferably having a plurality of micro-vibrators, on the mattress body. The medical air mattress according to the invention may be equipped with a heating unit alternatively or additionally in the form of an electric heating sheet.

To further simplify handling of the mattress and to create a position specifically for receiving a bedpan or any other kind of receptacle without significantly moving the patient, a separate air cell may be provided in the central part of the air cell row. The independent air cell may be connected to an air pump assembly. The mattress body according to this aspect of the invention is formed of a plurality of air cells including parallel independent air cells arranged in air cell rows. The independent air cells may be connected to independent deflation units so as to be independently deflated. When the patient needs to use the bedpan, deflating the separate air bag to form the recess for accommodating the bedpan eliminates the need to move the bedspread and the patient.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

The above-mentioned components used according to the invention, as well as those required and described in the examples of embodiment, are not limited by the size, shape, material selection and technical concept of any special exceptions such that the selection criteria known in the field of application can be applied without limitations.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of the appended claims and the associated drawings, in which several embodiments according to the invention are shown for illustration. Shown in the figure are:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a medical air mattress according to the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a medical air mattress wherein the barrier cuff includes a flat base connected to an upper bedspread;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a medical air mattress wherein the surface of the mattress is inclined on the longitudinal sides of the mattress body;

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of the medical air mattress according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is an exploded perspective view of the massage and heat generating unit of the medical air mattress according to FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 3A-D are piping diagrams of different embodiments of a medical air mattress;

FIG. 4 is an operational side view, partially in section, of the medical air mattress of FIG. 1, showing the body cells fully inflated;

FIG. 5 is an operational side view in partial cross-section of a medical air mattress showing odd numbered body cells inflated;

FIG. 6 is an operational side view in partial cross-section of a medical air mattress showing an even number of body cells inflated;

FIG. 7A/B is an operational end view in partial cross-section of a different embodiment of a medical air mattress showing body bladders that are tapered in diameter from a wide end to a narrow end;

FIG. 7C is an operational end view, partially in section, of a different embodiment of a medical air mattress having two oblique supply bladders, with one of the oblique supply bladders inflated;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a medical air mattress;

FIG. 9A/B is a line drawing of a different embodiment of the medical inflatable cushion;

FIGS. 10A-E are operational end views in partial cross-section of a medical air mattress, showing different body cells inflated;

FIG. 10F is an operational end view in 6 partial cross-sections of a medical air mattress showing different tilt angles ((a) - (F));

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a medical air mattress having a removable central portion according to the prior art;

FIG. 11B is an operational end view, partially in section, of the medical air mattress according to the present invention showing the independent air cells in the central region of the mattress body deflated to form a pocket for receiving a bedpan container; and

fig. 12A/B are perspective views of a control device of the medical air mattress according to the present invention.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1A, a first embodiment of the medical air mattress according to the present invention includes: a lower bedspread 10, a mattress body 30, an upper bedspread 50 and a guardrail unit 60, wherein two guardrail housings 52 are mounted on each longitudinal side of the upper bedspread 50. Each of the protective rail covers 52 according to fig. 1B and 1C comprises two cover bodies 521 which are securely sewn with two threads or double threads to the upper bedspread 50. FIG. 1B shows the medical air mattress in perspective view and FIG. 1C shows a schematic view of the medical air mattress with the medical air mattress tilted to the right of a patient 801 lying on a support surface 803 of the medical air mattress.

Each sleeve body 521 of the guard rail according to fig. 1B and 1C has a flat bottom 800, preferably secured to the top surface of alternate air mattresses, to hold the sleeve securely on the upper bed cover. The particular feature of the guard rail cover 52 or cover body 521 is that the mounting avoids causing air leakage from the guard rail bladder 61 and/or

body bladders

31, 32 by sewing it to the bed cover 50, also in the event that the guard rail unit 60 is physically squeezed or pulled by the patient 801, for example. The safety of the patient 801 and the handling of the mattress will thus be optimized.

According to fig. 2A, the mattress body 30 is mounted to the lower bed cover 10, and includes a plurality of body cells 31 and a plurality of head cells 32. In the preferred embodiment, the airbag body 30 includes three head airbags 32. Each body bladder 31 and each head bladder 32 are tubular and uniform in diameter, respectively. The head airbag 32 has the same diameter as the body airbag 31. The body airbag 31 and the head airbag 32 are arranged in parallel with each other and in a row to form an airbag row. The head airbag 32 is disposed at the head end of the airbag row, that is, the head airbag 32 is disposed at the first to third of the airbag row. The body cells 31 are disposed at the fourth to seventeenth cells of the cell rows.

The upper bedspread 50 covers the mattress body 30 and is securely connected to the lower bedspread 10. A heating unit 51 is preferably installed below the upper bedspread 50 and above the mattress body 30 for heating. The heating unit 51 may be a carbon fiber electric heating sheet. The upper bed cover 50 has a guard rail cover 52. The guard rail covers 52 are formed side by side on both longitudinal sides of the upper bedspread 50 and are formed adjacent to the edges of both (longitudinal) sides of the upper bedspread 50, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the guardrail cover 52 is sewn to the upper bed cover 50. Each guardrail cover 52 has at least one cover body 521. In a preferred embodiment, each guardrail case 52 has two case bodies 521 that are separately formed and aligned and coaxial with each other.

Referring additionally to fig. 2A, a guardrail inflation unit 60 is mounted in the guardrail housing 52 and includes a plurality of guardrail bladders 61. The guardrail airbags 61 are respectively installed in the sheath body 521 of the guardrail sheath 52.

According to fig. 2B, the medical air mattress additionally comprises a massage unit 40 mounted on the mattress body 30 or in the mattress body 30 (see also fig. 2A). The massage unit 40 according to fig. 2B comprises a plurality of vibration units 806 or micro-vibrators 41, respectively, for massaging a patient 801 lying on the support surface 803 of the medical air mattress as described. These micro-vibrators 806, 41 are separately arranged and massage the neck, back, waist, thighs, etc. of the patient, respectively. The massage unit 40 may additionally comprise a first layer 804 and a second layer 805. Each

layer

804, 805 may be made of a waterproof or nearly waterproof material. A plurality of vibration units 806 are positioned below the first layer 804 and/or the second layer 805. Each vibration unit 806 may be placed in a vibration unit holding pocket 807. According to a preferred embodiment, the heating element 51 may be placed in the massage unit or between two

layers

804, 805 above the massage unit, when there is a massage unit (40). The heat generating unit 51 may include a carbon fiber material. The heating unit (51) may alternatively be placed on or in the mattress body 30, respectively, without the massage unit (40).

Referring to fig. 3A, the medical air mattress as described includes an air pump assembly 70. The air pump assembly 70 is connected to the body airbag 31, the head airbag 32, and the independent airbag 23 and selectively inflates the body airbag 31, the head airbag 32, and the independent airbag 23. According to a preferred embodiment and referring to fig. 9A, the individual balloons may be shaped in a conical manner such that each individual balloon tapers in diameter from one end to the other, so that each body balloon and each individual balloon has a wide end and a narrow end.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3A, the air pump assembly 70 includes: a pump 71, an odd body line 73, an even body line 74, an odd independent line 54, an even independent line 55, and a quick release valve 78. The odd body line 73 connects the pump 71 with the odd body cells 31 and the head cells 32 located in the odd columns of the cell row. The even (odd) columns indicate the meaning of the rows located at the even (odd) positions of the airbag rows. The even body lines 74 connect the pump 71 with the even body airbags 31 and the head airbags 32 located at the even columns of the airbag rows. The odd individual lines 54 connect the pumps 71 with the individual air bags 23 located at odd columns of the air bag rows. The even independent lines 55 connect the pumps 71 with the independent air bags 23 located at the even columns of the air bag rows. A quick release valve 78 is connected to the odd body line 73 and the even body line 74 for quickly releasing air in the mattress body 30 in emergency use. For example, when a patient requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (c.p.r), a medical air mattress as described does not need to be removed or the patient does not need to be moved to immediately rescue the patient because the mattress body 30 deflates quickly. This contributes to an improvement in the operation of the medical air mattress.

According to fig. 3A, the pump 71 is connected to the body switching valve 702. A body switching valve 702 is connected between the pump 71 and the

body lines

73, 74 and the independent relationships 54, 55. The independent deflation unit to which the independent air cells 23 are connected is independently deflated. The independent air bleeding unit includes an odd solenoid valve 541 and an even solenoid valve 551. The odd solenoid valve 541 and the even solenoid valve 551 are three-way valves and have respective air release ports to the outside so that the independent air bags 23 are selectively independently released via the odd solenoid valve 541 and the even solenoid valve 551. The odd individual line 54 is connected to the pump 71 via an odd body line 73. The even individual line 55 is connected to the pump 71 via an even body line 74. In the preferred embodiment, the odd independent line 54 is connected to the odd body line 73 via an odd independent solenoid valve 541, and the even independent line 55 is connected to the even body line 74 via an even independent solenoid valve 551. The odd body line 73 is connected to the head airbag 32 via the first check valve 731. The even body line 74 is connected to the head bladder 32 via a second check valve 741.

Referring to fig. 3B, the independent deflation unit for the independent air bags 23 may be a manual switching device 80. The user controls the manual switching device 80 to stop inflating the individual air bags 23. The manual switching device 80 includes: the air inlet, the inflation inlet, the deflation port, the connecting rod, the two air ventilation gaskets, the air resistance gasket and the elastic element. The inlet port is connected to the body switching valve 702. The inflation ports are connected to the individual bladders 23 by individual lines 54, 55. The air release opening is communicated with the outside. When inflated, the relief port closes and the inflation port opens to inflate the separate air bag 23. When deflated, the resilient member, link and choke washer are manually moved to close the inflation port and open the deflation port. The individual air cells 23 are then deflated independently.

The hygienic aspect of the medical air mattress according to the invention is thus improved so that the air mattress can be operated better. It is no longer necessary to remove the top surface of the mattress to access the removable portion of the mattress, as can be seen in the state of the art according to fig. 11A, for example.

Referring to fig. 3C, the medical air mattress as described includes an air pump assembly 70. The air pump assembly 70 is connected to the oblique air supply bags 20, the body air bags 31, the head air bags 32 and the guardrail air bags 61 and selectively inflates the oblique air supply bags 20, the body air bags 31, the head air bags 32 and the guardrail air bags 61. In a preferred embodiment, the air pump assembly 70 includes: a pump 71, an inclined supply line 72, an odd body line 73, an even body line 74, a guardrail line 77, and a quick release valve 78. The inclined supply line 72 connects the pump 71 with the inclined supply bladder 20. The odd body line 73 connects the pump 71 with the body airbag 31 and the head airbag 32 located at odd positions of the airbag rows. The even body line 74 connects the pump 71 with the body airbag 31 and the head airbag 32 located at even positions of the airbag rows. A guardrail line 77 connects the pump 71 to the guardrail bladder 61. A quick release vent 78 is connected to the odd body line 73 and the even body line 74 for quickly releasing air in the mattress body 30 during emergency use. For example, when a patient requires c.p. R, the medical air mattress and the guardrail assembly as described need not be removed or the patient need not be removed to immediately rescue the patient because the mattress body 30 and guardrail assembly deflate quickly.

According to fig. 3C, the pump 71 is connected to the tilt supply switching valve 701 and the body switching valve 702. The tilt supply solenoid valve 703 is also connected between the tilt supply switching valve 701 and the pump 71. The tilt supply switching valve 701 is connected between the tilt supply solenoid valve 703 and the tilt supply line 72. A body switching valve 702 is connected between the pump 71 and the

body lines

73, 74 and the guardrail line 77. The guardrail line 77 is connected to the body switch valve 702 via a guardrail solenoid valve 772. The odd body line 73 is connected to the head bladder 32 via the check valve 731. The even body line 74 is connected to the head bladder 32 via a check valve 741. The body switch valve 702 is connected to a guardrail solenoid valve 772 via a check valve 771.

Referring to fig. 3D, the deflation unit for the guardrail airbag 61 can be a manual switch 772A. The user controls the manual switch 772A to stop inflating the guardrail airbag 61. The manual switching device 772A has an intake port, an inflation port, a deflation port, a linkage, one or more vent gaskets, a choke gasket, and a resilient member. The inlet port is connected to the body switching valve 702. The inflation port is connected to the guardrail bladder 61 by a guardrail line 77. The air release opening is communicated with the outside. When inflated, the relief port closes and the inflation port opens to inflate the guardrail airbag 61. When deflated, the resilient member, the linkage and the choke washer are manually moved to close the inflation port and open the deflation port. The guardrail airbag 61 is then independently deflated.

When the medical air mattress as described in fig. 3A and 3B is operated, the pump 71, the switching valve 702, and the

solenoid valves

541, 551 are controlled to inflate the air cells and alternately regulate the inflation. The inflation and deflation operations are described in detail below.

For the mattress body according to fig. 3A and 3B, the user may select different modes when operating the pump 71.

A full inflation mode: referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the pump 71 is operated to inflate the body airbag 31, the head airbag 32, and the independent airbag 23.

Switching an inflation mode: referring to fig. 3A and 3B, the pump 71 is operated and alternately inflates the body cells 31 and the individual cells 23 located in the odd or even columns of the cell rows. In a preferred embodiment, the body switching valve 702 completes the switching inflation. The pump 71 supplies air into the body switching valve 702. The body switching valve 702 alternately supplies air into the odd-numbered body line 73 or the even-numbered body line 74. When the odd body lines 73 are inflated, the body cells 31 and the individual cells 23 located in the odd columns of the cell rows are inflated and the body cells 31 and the individual cells 23 located in the even columns of the cell rows are deflated, as shown in fig. 5. When the even body lines 74 are inflated, the body cells 31 and the individual cells 23 located at the even positions of the cell rows are inflated and the body cells 31 and the individual cells 23 located at the odd positions of the cell rows are deflated, as shown in fig. 6. Further, since the

check valves

731 and 741 are connected between the head bladder 32, the odd body line 73 and the even body line 74, the head bladder 32 remains inflated without being deflated through the body switching valve 702 to stably support the head of the patient.

With the separate air bags 23 as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the user can stop inflating the separate air bags 23 independently. In the preferred embodiment, the odd solenoid valve 541 and the even solenoid valve 551 are used to stop the inflation of the individual air bags 23. Each

solenoid valve

541, 551 has an air inlet, an air charge port, and an air discharge port. The inlet port is connected to the body switching valve 702. The inflation ports are connected to the individual bladders 23 by individual lines 54, 55. The air release port is connected to the outside. When the independent airbag 23 inflates, the relief port closes and the inflation port opens. When the independent air cells 23 are independently deflated, the inflation port is closed and the deflation port is opened. When the independent air cells 23 are deflated, the central portion of the upper bed cover 50 corresponding to the independent air cells 23 is not supported. If desired, the central portion of the upper bed cover 50 may be recessed to form a space or place for receiving a bedpan. Thus, a patient 801 lying on a medical air mattress as described does not need to be moved and a bedpan can be used while lying on a medical air mattress as described.

When the medical air mattress as described in fig. 3C and 3D is operated, the pump 71, the switching valve, and the solenoid valve are actuated to inflate the air bags and regulate the inflation. The inflation and deflation operations are described in detail below.

With respect to the guardrail airbag 61, when the pump 71 is operated, the guardrail airbag 61 is inflated to inflate the guardrail cover 52 to provide side protection on the upper bed cover 50. When the patient 801 lying on the upper bed cover 50 accidentally presses on the guardrail case 52, the guardrail cases 52 on both sides are drawn to each other since the guardrail cases 52 are formed on both sides of the upper bed cover 50. The traction causes the guardrail cover 52 to maintain its shape even when pressed. Thus, the guardrail cover 52 is held in place to protect a patient lying on the medical air mattress as described. In addition, the check valve 771 prohibits the air from flowing backward when the body switching valve 702 is operated.

For mattress bodies according to the embodiments shown in fig. 3C and 3D, the user may select different modes when the pump 71 is operated.

A full inflation mode: referring to fig. 3C and 3D, the pump 71 is operated to inflate the body bladder 31 and the head bladder 32. The situation in which all of the air cells of the mattress body are inflated is shown in figure 4.

Switching an inflation mode: referring to fig. 3C and 3D, the pump 71 is operated and alternately inflates the body cells 31 located in the odd or even columns of the cell rows. In a preferred embodiment, the body switching valve 702 completes the switching inflation. The pump 71 supplies air into the body switching valve 702. The body switching valve 702 alternately supplies air into the odd-numbered body line 73 or the even-numbered body line 74. When the odd body lines 73 are inflated, the body bladders 31 located at the odd positions of the bladder rows are inflated and the body bladders 31 located at the even positions of the bladder rows are deflated, as shown in fig. 5. When the even body lines 74 are inflated, the body cells 31 located in the even rows of the cell rows are inflated and the body cells 31 located in the odd rows of the cell rows are deflated. Further, since the

check valves

731 and 741 are connected between the head bladder 32 and the odd and even

body lines

73 and 74, the head bladder 32 remains inflated without being deflated through the body switching valve 702 to stably support the head of the patient.

With the inclined supply cells 20 as shown in fig. 3C and 7C, the pump 71 is operated to inflate one of the inclined supply cells 20 to incline one side of the medical air mattress as described so that the patient is easily turned over. In the preferred embodiment, the tilt supply switching valve 701 is operated to alternately inflate the tilt supply bladders 20.

Referring to fig. 8, 9A and 9B, a second embodiment of the medical air mattress according to the present invention is described. The body bladder 31A of the body mattress 30A according to fig. 8 is conical. An end view of an airbed having a conical mattress body is shown in fig. 7A and 7B. Each body bladder 31A tapers in diameter gradually from one end to the other such that each body bladder 31A has a wide end and a narrow end. The body bladder 31A is disposed with the wide end adjacent the narrow end. For example, the wide end of the body bladder 31A located at the odd-numbered position of the bladder row is aligned with the narrow end of the body bladder 31A located at the even-numbered position of the bladder row. The medical air mattress as described further includes two compensation air cells 34A installed longitudinally and respectively on both sides of the mattress body 30A to enlarge the area of the medical air mattress and support the upper bedspread 50A. The compensation bladder 34A is connected to a line connected to the head bladder 32A and is also protected from inflation by

check valves

731, 741.

When the medical air mattress as described in fig. 8 is operated, the pump 71A, the switching valve and the solenoid valve are simultaneously activated to inflate the air cells and alternately regulate the inflation. Since most of the operations are described above, only the different operations are described below for the embodiment of the medical air mattress according to fig. 8. For the mattress body 30A, the user may select different modes when operating the pump 71A.

A full inflation mode: the pump 71A is operated to inflate all of the body airbag 31A and the head airbag 32A.

Switching an inflation mode: referring to fig. 9A, 9B, and 10A to 10F, the pump 71A is operated and alternately inflates the body cells 31A located in the odd or even columns of the cell rows. When the body cells 31A located in the odd numbered rows of the cell rows are inflated, the body cells 31A located in the even numbered rows of the cell rows are deflated, as shown in fig. 10A. Since the body cells 31A located at odd-numbered positions of the cell rows have wide left ends and narrow right ends, the mattress body 30A is high on the left side and low on the right side to incline the patient to the right. When the body cells 31A located at the even numbered columns of the cell rows are inflated, the body cells 31A located at the odd numbered columns of the cell rows are deflated, as shown in fig. 10B. Since the body cells 31A located at even-numbered positions of the cell rows have wide right and narrow left ends, the mattress body 30A is high on the right and low on the left to incline the patient to the left. The switched inflation of the body bladder 31A thus not only provides alternating waves to the mattress body 30A but also tilts the patient by a particular tilt angle. In this embodiment, the body bladder 31A provides the tilt angle of 10 degrees or approximately 10 degrees. Here "close" means that the tilt angle may be smaller or larger than a given angle.

Referring to fig. 9A, 9B and 10C-10E, the switched inflation of the body bladder 31A in conjunction with the tilt supply bladder 20A provides more different tilt angles.

When all of the body cells 31A are inflated and one of the oblique supply cells 20A is inflated, as shown in fig. 12, the upper surface of the upper bedspread 50A is inclined to one side to provide the inclination angle of 20 degrees or nearly 20 degrees.

When the body cells 31A located at the even-numbered positions of the cell rows are inflated and the body cells 31A located at the odd-numbered positions of the cell rows are deflated, the oblique supply cells 20A located on the right side are also inflated simultaneously to provide the total oblique angle of 30 degrees or nearly 30 degrees.

When the body cells 31A located at the odd-numbered columns of the cell rows are inflated and the body cells 31A located at the even-numbered positions of the cell rows are deflated, the inclined supply cell 20A located on the left side is also inflated to provide the inclination angle of 30 degrees or nearly 30 degrees.

An overview of the foregoing tilting of the medical air mattress and the possibility of tilting or turning the patient at multiple angles is shown in FIG. 10F. The diagram of fig. 10F relates to a method of inflating/deflating a medical air mattress as described above. The balloon is selectively inflated and/or deflated. The even numbered airbags and/or the odd numbered airbags are separately inflated and/or deflated such that either all of the even numbered airbags or all of the odd numbered airbags are inflated or deflated or such that all of the even numbered airbags and all of the odd numbered airbags are inflated. At least three inclination angles can be achieved by selectively inflating and/or deflating the inclined supply balloons and/or the even body balloons and/or the odd body balloons and/or the even and odd body balloons.

According to fig. 10f (a) and (b), either the even body cells or the odd body cells 31 are inflated. Both of the inclined supply bladders 20 are deflated. In this case, the surface is inclined at a first small angle, for example 10 degrees or close to 10 degrees.

According to fig. 10f, (c) and (d), the oblique supply cells (20, 20A) are inflated either on the right side of the mattress body (30, 30A) or on the left side of the mattress body (30, 30A). Both the even-numbered and odd-numbered body cells (31, 31A, 32, 32A, 23, 23A) are also inflated such that the inclination angle according to the figure portions (c) and (d) is larger than that in the case of the figure portions (a) and (b), for example, close to 20 degrees.

According to fig. 10f (e) and (f), either the even body cells or the odd body cells (31, 31A, 32, 32A, 23, 23A) inflate and one of the oblique supply cells (20, 20A) also inflates simultaneously. The total inclination angle becomes even larger, for example close to 30 degrees.

The overall condition of the medical air mattress can be controlled by the control device shown in fig. 12 and 12B. The control device is connected to all valves of the air pump assembly and the medical air mattress, such as shown in fig. 3A-3D, 9A and 9B. Most of the cases can be manipulated by a single-key operation of the control device. Particularly the inflation/deflation of the guardrail air bags involved when tilting the mattress or the inflation/deflation of separate air bags to provide space for the central portion of the mattress to accommodate a receptacle such as a bedpan can be controlled by one-handed operation or one-touch operation of the control means. All these functions and situations can be operated by pressing only one button of the control device.

The medical air mattress according to the invention has numerous advantages. By the guardrail housing 52 being formed on top of the upper bed cover 50, the mutual traction between the guardrail housing 52 from the two opposite sides of the upper bed cover 50 holds the guardrail housing 52 in place to protect a patient 801 lying on the medical air mattress. Further, the body bladder 31A of conical shape is combined with the inclined supply bladder 20A to provide a plurality of inclination angles. Thus, different patients may select the appropriate tilt angle according to their needs or according to the physician's command.

Referring to fig. 2A, 2B and 8, the heat generating unit 51 is attached in the mattress body. Preferably the heat generating unit 51 is positioned below the upper bed cover 50 for heating the upper bed cover. The heating unit 51 may be a carbon fiber electric heating sheet. The heat generating unit 51 may be a component or an indispensable part of the heat generating massage unit shown in fig. 2B.

A medical air mattress with an independent air cell 23 is shown in fig. 11B. A side view of the airbed is shown according to fig. 11B. The body airbag 31 and the head airbag 32 are inflated. The individual cells 23 are deflated so that a location is created in the central area of the mattress body 30 for receiving a receptacle such as a toilet or bedpan. The location for receiving the container may have a near conical shape. The inflation or deflation of the individual air bags 23 can be controlled by a controller according to fig. 12A/B. By creating a recessed position for receiving the bedpan, it is no longer necessary to remove a portion of the mattress body, such as according to the prior art (see fig. 11A).

According to fig. 12A/B, the controller of the medical air mattress is constructed in such a way that several functions of the air mattress can be controlled by touching only one button. Inflation/deflation of the barrier unit can be controlled by a one-touch button (fig. 12A, see arrows) for barrier function. A one-touch button means that a single touch of the button can turn on or off the relevant function of the mattress. The inflation/deflation of the independent air cells 23 can be controlled by a one-touch button of the toilet function.

The tilting of the mattress surface at different angles can be controlled by a one-touch button for the tilting function (tilting, see arrow in fig. 12B). Touching the "tilt" button according to the method described above increases or decreases the angle of the mattress surface. The switching of the inflation of the (body and/or head) airbag may be controlled by a one-touch button for the rest/switching function. The heating of the mattress can be controlled by a one-touch button for the heater function. The massage unit of the mattress can be controlled by a one-touch button of the massage function. The controller according to fig. 12A/B may be positioned near the mattress body so that it can be operated by a medical staff or the patient himself.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the foregoing disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Reference numerals:

10 lower bed cover

20 inclined supply air bag

23 independent air bag

30, 30A mattress body

31, 31A body airbag

32, 32A head airbag

34A compensation air bag

40 massage unit

41 micro vibrator

50, 50A upper bed cover

51 heating unit

52 guardrail sleeve

54 odd number of independent pipelines

55 even number of independent pipelines

60 guardrail unit

61 guardrail airbag

70 air pump assembly

71, 71A pump

72 inclined supply line

73 odd body line

74 even number of body pipelines

77 guardrail pipeline

78 quick release valve

80 hand-operated switching valve

521 set body

541 odd number electromagnetic valve

551 even number solenoid valve

701 inclined supply switching valve

702 body switching valve

703 inclined supply electromagnetic valve

731 first check valve

741 second check valve

771 third check valve

772 guardrail electromagnetic valve

772A manual switching device

800 flat bottom

801 patient

803 bearing surface

804 first layer

805 second layer

806 vibration unit

807 holds the bag.

Claims

1. A guardrail of a medical inflatable mattress, the medical inflatable mattress comprises a mattress body (30), an upper bedspread (50) and an air pump assembly (70), the upper bedspread (50) and the air pump assembly are arranged on the mattress body (30), the mattress body (30) comprises a plurality of body air bags (31), the body air bags (31) form an air bag row, the air pump assembly (70) is used for controlling the air bags of the air bag row to be alternately inflated and deflated, and the air pump assembly (70) comprises a pump (71) and at least one pipeline for connecting the pump (71) and the body air bags (31);

the guardrail comprises a guardrail unit (60) and a guardrail sleeve (52), the guardrail unit (60) comprises a guardrail airbag (61), the guardrail sleeve (52) is positioned on the upper bedspread (50), the guardrail sleeve (52) is provided with a sleeve body (521), and the guardrail airbag (61) is arranged in the sleeve body (521) of the guardrail sleeve (52); a guardrail line (77) is connected between the guardrail airbag (61) and the pump (71), the guardrail line (77) being configured such that air can be communicated between the pump (71) and the guardrail airbag (61).

2. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the guardrail comprises two guardrail sleeves (52), each guardrail sleeve (52) has two sleeve bodies (521), each sleeve body (521) is provided with a guardrail airbag (61), and the two sleeve bodies (521) are separated from each other.

3. The barrier as claimed in claim 2, wherein the two sleeve bodies (521) are coaxially aligned.

4. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the guardrail comprises two guardrail sleeves (52), wherein one guardrail sleeve (52) is positioned near one edge of the upper surface of the upper bedspread and the other guardrail sleeve (52) is positioned near another different edge of the upper surface of the upper bedspread.

5. The barrier of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrier air cells (61) are connected with the air pump assembly (70) such that the barrier air cells (61) can be inflated and/or deflated independently of the body air cells (31).

6. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the guardrail sleeve (52) is directly sewn fixed to the upper bedspread (50).

7. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the barrier cuff has a flat bottom (800).

8. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one line comprises:

an odd body line (73), the odd body line (73) being connected to the pump (71) and the body bladders (31) located at odd positions of the bladder rows, respectively;

an even number of body lines (74), the even number of body lines (74) being connected to the pump (71) and the body bladders (31) located at even number positions of the bladder rows, respectively; and

a body switching valve (702), the body switching valve (702) connected between the pump (71) and the body line (73, 74).

9. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 8, wherein: a guardrail electromagnetic valve (772) is connected between the body switching valve (702) and the guardrail pipeline (77), and a check valve (771) is connected between the body switching valve (702) and the guardrail electromagnetic valve (772).

10. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 8, characterized in that a manual switching device (772A) is connected between the body switching valve (702) and the guardrail line (77), and a check valve (771) is connected between the body switching valve (702) and the manual switching device (772A).

11. The barrier as claimed in claim 1, wherein each body cell (31) is tubular and uniform in diameter.

12. The barrier for a medical air mattress according to claim 1, wherein each body cell (31) tapers in diameter from a wide end to a narrow end, and the body cells (31) are disposed with the wide end adjacent the narrow end, the body cells (31) forming a bearing surface for supporting a patient, the body cells (31) including odd body cells at odd positions and even body cells at even positions, the bearing surface being inclined at a first inclination angle when all even body cells are inflated and the odd body cells are deflated or when all odd body cells are inflated and the even body cells are deflated.

13. The barrier of a medical air mattress according to claim 12, further comprising two longitudinal oblique supply air cells (20), the mattress body (30) straddling the oblique supply air cells (20), the two oblique supply air cells (20) being located on both longitudinal sides under the mattress body (30) and parallel to each other;

when one of the oblique supply balloons is inflated and the other oblique supply balloon is deflated, and the even-numbered body balloons and the odd-numbered body balloons are also inflated simultaneously, the support surface is inclined at a second inclination angle that is greater than the first inclination angle;

when one of the even or odd body cells is inflated and the other is deflated and one of the oblique supply cells is inflated and the other oblique supply cell is deflated, the support surface is inclined at a third angle of inclination that is greater than the second angle of inclination.

14. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the mattress body (30) is provided with a massage unit (40).

15. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the mattress body (30) has a heating unit (51).

16. The barrier of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one compensation air cell (34A) is longitudinally mounted on one side of the mattress body (30), the at least one compensation air cell (34A) enlarging a bearing surface of the medical air mattress for supporting a patient.

17. The guardrail of a medical air mattress according to claim 1, characterized in that the medical air mattress further comprises a lower bedspread (10), the lower bedspread (10) being located below the mattress body (30), the lower bedspread (10) being fixedly connected with the upper bedspread (50).

18. The barrier as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the air pump assembly (70) comprises a quick release valve (78), the quick release valve (78) being connected to the at least one line.